Em Kumarakom: Num Festival Hindu E A Curiosidade Dos Habitantes

20th February 2016

Kumarakom is the birthplace of Arundhati Roy, known author of “The God of Small Things,” and it is here that our adventure continues in Kerala, India.

The day before we Kayak (with Calypso Adventures), Indian cuisine course (where we learned to make fried banana dessert, among other delicacies) and visited the Akkarakalam temple. To exit the temple, a man bathed in the channels. Plunged the entire body in a ritual repeated, spitting the water I drank in every dive.

A family approaches us and asks his grandfather to the little granddaughter to greet us with a sweet handshake. I asked to shoot but decided it was to be her to take a selfie. I took in her little finger and clicked the photo. His expression changed when he was on the phone screen. He was very serious and curious. I wanted to try again. I said goodbye and left.

In this region, it is difficult there are people who do not want to take pictures with us. In general, the people of Kerala always throw a smile and if we ask them to take pictures, they are almost always available, preferably if selfies. Smiles are always true and … beautiful!

We have come too tired and late at Abad Hotels & Resorts but in the morning, the view from the pool was wonderful, on the canals (or Kerala Backwaters calls through which the boat-house).
During the day we passed by yet another resort overlooking the canals: KTDC Water Scapes Kumarakom. We were able to watch a beautiful sunset here.

In the afternoon, we entered into another spectacular spot: the Zuri Resort & Spa, which has a mega-lake inside small and very spacious villas! Only in the bathroom there were three locations for the bath: a bath, an indoor and an outdoor shower, a small garden covered. The view from the pool is breathtaking. If you stay here installed do a massage at the Spa (30 € you can relax in a full one-hour massage) or ride on boats and seagulls standing on the lake.

At night we had one of the greatest experiences of this trip (so far) to participate in a Hindu festival, about 15 minutes walk from our resort. To enter the area near the temple had, as usual, we draw our shoes. The celebration lasts several days, complete with funfair installed next door, stalls with food sales, clothing, housewares, jewelry, etc …

When we reached the Hindu festival was an elephant with four men on wielding the offerings to the Goddess. On the floor, several men play drums and bugles and so go for a walk, around the temple, as they do the prayers.

 

Coordination of the drums and the crescendo of music leads the faithful to close their eyes. It turns out to be something not as private as other religions. They are there, standing together in front of the temple without shoes, to make their prayers. And we were at his side without any problem … just protesting with those who do not take off their shoes at the entrance.

When the celebration is over, the party continues. And if we have to know things from the locals, they too have curiosity in us. Principalnente to know where we come from . A white – bearded man and dressed all in white comes to us and asks where we are and if we wanted to have a picture of him.
– They want to take me a picture? They can draw at will. I am very well known … I’m an actor of Bollywood movies!
Almost simultaneously another man, older, come to us to ask if we had enjoyed the celebration.
– “Beautiful, is not it?”, Asks rhetorically as already going away group. He says, however, that was a war hero and wishes us a good trip.

Ahead, while photographer sellers of the fair, two women are close to me, half way embarrassed. The youngest begins to talk.
– Hello, what ‘s your name?
– Hello, my name is Susana.
– Beautiful name! (It is a name used in Bollywood films, so I’m always hearing that is a beautiful name.)
– And your?
– Harishna (or so it seemed, had asked twice and would not insist more).
– This is my daughter, a nurse – says the older woman with big proud smile.
– and you, what are you doing?
– Well, I’m a journalist and write about travel. I’m here with a group to write about Kerala.
– Where are you?
– Portugal, you know?
– Yeah … You know our language?
– Only two words … Hello and thank you.
Namasté and Nanni (in Malayalam).
They laughed and made the nod to “OK, better this than nothing”
– Are you like our country? And our food? ? Do I like spicy food
(After answering all, I realized I was already late to go to the group)
– Well … I have to go to the group is waiting for me.
– And your group has many countries?
I better show … they came to me and the questions began again to leave for the bus.
it’s amazing this curiosity that Indian (or at least the people of Kerala) have towards foreigners. we
returned to the resort still with the party fireworks coloring the sky in our shores.

Living in the middle of nature, as we at The Zuri Resort, is waking up to the birds singing (and many crows) but also have a bat in the room for Mortinho out. It was not easy to put it on the street, after flybys passing on the bed while I slept. What a fright! But it should be why there were no mosquitoes in that room.

The Brefnei, Ireland, have traveled around the world by bicycle, but not passed in Portugal – yes, I told you it was not valid terminology “around the world” is not passed in Portugal – made a playlist with songs from countries who are represented here. I am writing this text on the bus while listening to the “Non, je ne regrette rien” by the voice of Edith Piaf. I chose to show the Portuguese music? The “Desfado” Ana Moura, but tomorrow choose Buraka Som Sistema to put staff to move!